Patents by Inventor Marc Strauss
Marc Strauss has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240091962Abstract: An apparatus is described comprising a first gripping component having a first proximal region having a first rigid geometry configured to receive a handle of a tool and a first distal region having a first shape-adaptive finger and a second gripping component having a second proximal region having a second rigid geometry configured to receive the handle of the tool and a second distal region having a second shape-adaptive finger. The first distal region is separated by a clearance from the second distal region when the first rigid geometry and the second rigid geometry are grasping the handle of the tool and, in an absence of the handle of the tool, the first proximal region and the second proximal region enable a pinch grip between the first shape-adaptive finger of the first gripping component and the second shape-adaptive finger of the second gripping component.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2022Publication date: March 21, 2024Inventor: Marc Strauss
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Publication number: 20230150151Abstract: A sensing device is described for mounting on a movable component of a robotic device. The sensing device includes a plurality of illumination sources comprising at least one ultraviolet (UV) illumination source. The sensing device further includes at least two cameras arranged in a stereo pair. The sensing device additionally includes a camera with a UV filter, wherein the UV filter is configured to allow wavelengths corresponding to UV light and to block wavelengths corresponding to visible and near infrared light, wherein the UV filter allows transmission of light within an angular range such that the UV filter allows for the transmission of light at one end of the angular range to be equivalent to the transmission of light at an opposite end of the angular range.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2022Publication date: May 18, 2023Inventors: Eden Rephaeli, Marc Strauss, Guy Satat
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Publication number: 20220355492Abstract: A reusable mechanism is disclosed for coupling two robotic appendages, such that an unintended force acting against a side of one of the appendages may decouple the appendages. The mechanism includes a revolved male dovetail mated to a revolved female dovetail. The mechanism may further include a channel within the male dovetail and a detent that inhibits rotation of the male dovetail in relation to the female dovetail.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2022Publication date: November 10, 2022Inventors: Marc Strauss, Colin Duffie, Bin Su
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Publication number: 20220296754Abstract: An end effector of a robotic device is disclosed. The end effector includes a plurality of array segments, a plurality of UV light modules, and a first articulating member. Each array segment of the plurality of array segments is coupled to at least one other array segment of the plurality of array segments. Moreover, each UV light module is coupled to a different array segment of the plurality of array segments. The first articulating member is configured to cause at least one of the plurality of array segments to move relative to at least one other array segment.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2021Publication date: September 22, 2022Inventors: Marc Strauss, Joshua Seal
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Patent number: 11426884Abstract: A reusable mechanism is disclosed for coupling two robotic appendages, such that an unintended force acting against a side of one of the appendages may decouple the appendages. The mechanism includes a revolved male dovetail mated to a revolved female dovetail. The mechanism may further include a channel within the male dovetail and a detent that inhibits rotation of the male dovetail in relation to the female dovetail.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2020Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: X Development LLCInventors: Marc Strauss, Colin Duffie, Bin Su
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Patent number: 11325246Abstract: A device is provided. The device includes a worm drive comprising a worm and a worm gear. The device also includes an actuator comprising a motor, a shaft, and the worm, wherein the shaft is configured to rotate about a shaft axis, and the actuator is configured to (i) drive the worm drive, and (ii) move linearly along the shaft axis. The device also includes a first spring and a second spring, wherein the second ends are fixed, and wherein the first and second springs are configured to resist movement of the actuator along the shaft axis in opposite directions as a result of forces transmitted through the worm drive. The device further includes a linear position encoder configured to determine a position of the actuator along the shaft axis.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2020Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: X Development LLCInventors: Ben Berkowitz, Seth Gilbertson, Marc Strauss
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Patent number: 11154985Abstract: A method includes receiving input data indicative of tactile input at a bidirectional jog control device associated with a seven-degree-of-freedom (7DOF) robotic arm, where the 7DOF robotic arm is in a first arm configuration with an end effector of the 7DOF robotic arm positioned at a first pose in an environment. Based on the input data, the method further includes determining a direction to jog the 7DOF robotic arm through a null space while keeping the end effector fixed at the first pose in the environment. The method additionally includes controlling the 7DOF robotic arm to jog through the null space in the determined direction to a second arm configuration, where the end effector is positioned at the first pose in the environment when the 7DOF robotic arm is in the second arm configuration.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2019Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: X Development LLCInventor: Marc Strauss
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Patent number: 11014249Abstract: Retention mechanisms are used for coupling two objects, such as coupling end-of-arm tooling to a robotic arm system. The retention mechanisms may include two mounting members, each of which may be attached to a respective object to be coupled, such as an end effector and a robotic device appendage. The retention mechanisms may use interlocking alternating fingers on each mounting members to cooperatively form a tapered annular channel into which an external retaining ring or disc spring fits and applies pressure to secure the opposing mounting members in tight proximity to each other.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2017Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: X Development LLCInventor: Marc Strauss
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Publication number: 20210114201Abstract: A device is provided. The device includes a worm drive comprising a worm and a worm gear. The device also includes an actuator comprising a motor, a shaft, and the worm, wherein the shaft is configured to rotate about a shaft axis, and the actuator is configured to (i) drive the worm drive, and (ii) move linearly along the shaft axis. The device also includes a first spring and a second spring, wherein the second ends are fixed, and wherein the first and second springs are configured to resist movement of the actuator along the shaft axis in opposite directions as a result of forces transmitted through the worm drive. The device further includes a linear position encoder configured to determine a position of the actuator along the shaft axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2020Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventors: Ben Berkowitz, Seth Gilbertson, Marc Strauss
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Patent number: 10933536Abstract: A robotic gripping device is provided. The device includes a finger having a worm gear coupled to its base end. The device also includes an actuator having a motor and a shaft, wherein the shaft is configured to rotate a worm coupled to the worm gear, and the actuator is mounted on a carriage such that the actuator is configured to slide along an axis. The device also includes a spring having first and second ends, wherein the first end is coupled to the motor and the second end is fixed. Further, the actuator is configured to (i) rotate the shaft relative to the motor by a first amount to move the finger toward an object, and (ii) when the finger is in contact with the object and is prevented from further movement, further rotate the shaft relative to the motor to slide the actuator along the axis.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2018Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: X Development LLCInventor: Marc Strauss
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Patent number: 10906174Abstract: A device is provided. The device includes a worm drive comprising a worm and a worm gear. The device also includes an actuator comprising a motor, a shaft, and the worm, wherein the shaft is configured to rotate about a shaft axis, and the actuator is configured to (i) drive the worm drive, and (ii) move linearly along the shaft axis. The device also includes a first spring and a second spring, wherein the second ends are fixed, and wherein the first and second springs are configured to resist movement of the actuator along the shaft axis in opposite directions as a result of forces transmitted through the worm drive. The device further includes a linear position encoder configured to determine a position of the actuator along the shaft axis.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2019Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: X Development LLCInventors: Ben Berkowitz, Seth Gilbertson, Marc Strauss
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Publication number: 20200376656Abstract: In an embodiment, a mobile robotic device includes a mobile base and a mounting column fixed to the mobile base. The robotic device further includes a seven-degree-of-freedom (7DOF) robotic arm, including a rotatable joint that enables rotation of the 7DOF robotic arm relative to the mounting column. The robotic device additionally includes a perception housing comprising at least one sensor, where the mounting column, the rotatable joint of the 7DOF arm, and the perception housing are arranged in a stacked tower such that the rotatable joint of the 7DOF arm is above the mounting column and below the perception housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2020Publication date: December 3, 2020Inventors: Ben Berkowitz, Justine Rembisz, Vincent Nabat, Joshua Seal, Gregory Katz, Chris Jones, Nicholas Foster, Christopher Morey, John Tran, Marc Strauss, Philip Mullins, Jonathan Souliere, Sarah Bates, Matthew Day, Robert Wilson, Mario Prats
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Publication number: 20200361100Abstract: A reusable mechanism is disclosed for coupling two robotic appendages, such that an unintended force acting against a side of one of the appendages may decouple the appendages. The mechanism includes a revolved male dovetail mated to a revolved female dovetail. The mechanism may further include a channel within the male dovetail and a detent that inhibits rotation of the male dovetail in relation to the female dovetail.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2020Publication date: November 19, 2020Inventors: Marc Strauss, Colin Duffie, Bin Su
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Patent number: 10759063Abstract: A reusable mechanism is disclosed for coupling two robotic appendages, such that an unintended force acting against a side of one of the appendages may decouple the appendages. The mechanism includes a revolved male dovetail mated to a revolved female dovetail. The mechanism may further include a channel within the male dovetail and a detent that inhibits rotation of the male dovetail in relation to the female dovetail.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2017Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: X Development LLCInventors: Marc Strauss, Colin Duffie, Bin Su
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Patent number: 10732060Abstract: An example device includes a rigid plate, an inner element, a plurality of connecting flexural elements coupled between the inner element and rigid plate, and a hardstop that extends through the inner element and couples to the rigid plate. The inner element has a plurality of reflective surface areas that are configured to reflect light to a sensor. The plurality of connecting flexural elements allow the inner element to move relative to rigid plate. The hardstop contacts the inner element when a load applied on the device exceeds a threshold load.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2018Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: X Development LLCInventor: Marc Strauss
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Publication number: 20200056950Abstract: An example device includes a rigid plate, an inner element, a plurality of connecting flexural elements coupled between the inner element and rigid plate, and a hardstop that extends through the inner element and couples to the rigid plate. The inner element has a plurality of reflective surface areas that are configured to reflect light to a sensor. The plurality of connecting flexural elements allow the inner element to move relative to rigid plate. The hardstop contacts the inner element when a load applied on the device exceeds a threshold load.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2018Publication date: February 20, 2020Inventor: Marc Strauss
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Publication number: 20190381655Abstract: A device is provided. The device includes a worm drive comprising a worm and a worm gear. The device also includes an actuator comprising a motor, a shaft, and the worm, wherein the shaft is configured to rotate about a shaft axis, and the actuator is configured to (i) drive the worm drive, and (ii) move linearly along the shaft axis. The device also includes a first spring and a second spring, wherein the second ends are fixed, and wherein the first and second springs are configured to resist movement of the actuator along the shaft axis in opposite directions as a result of forces transmitted through the worm drive. The device further includes a linear position encoder configured to determine a position of the actuator along the shaft axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2019Publication date: December 19, 2019Inventors: Ben Berkowitz, Seth Gilbertson, Marc Strauss
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Patent number: 10434643Abstract: A device is provided. The device includes a worm drive comprising a worm and a worm gear. The device also includes an actuator comprising a motor, a shaft, and the worm, wherein the shaft is configured to rotate about a shaft axis, and the actuator is configured to (i) drive the worm drive, and (ii) move linearly along the shaft axis. The device also includes a first spring and a second spring, wherein the second ends are fixed, and wherein the first and second springs are configured to resist movement of the actuator along the shaft axis in opposite directions as a result of forces transmitted through the worm drive. The device further includes a linear position encoder configured to determine a position of the actuator along the shaft axis.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2016Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: X Development LLCInventors: Ben Berkowitz, Seth Gilbertson, Marc Strauss
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Patent number: 10344805Abstract: In example embodiments, a discrete torque limiter is described that includes a first cylindrical member including grooves along a longitudinal surface of the first cylindrical member. The discrete torque limiter includes a second cylindrical member arranged concentrically with the first cylindrical member. The second cylindrical member can be adapted to move independently around the first cylindrical member. The second cylindrical member can include flexural spokes with teeth that engage the grooves along the first cylindrical member when no torque is applied and that disengage from the grooves when a torque that exceeds a threshold torque is applied to the first cylindrical member or second cylindrical member.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2016Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: X DEVELOPMENT LLCInventor: Marc Strauss
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Patent number: 10322511Abstract: A robotic finger with a stiffening member is provided that includes a front facing member for gripping and a back end member that supports the front facing member. The front facing member is conformable about a target object and includes the stiffening member that alleviates bendset by returning the front facing member to an initial state when the front facing member is no longer conformed about the target object.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2017Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: X Development LLCInventor: Marc Strauss